Chase gets 13 years for 2012 murder

Cole County Public Defender Jan King, left, with his client, Brandon Chase, before the start of trial for Chase’s part in the April 2012 shooting death of Keith Mosley Jr., was shot and killed during a drug deal turned robbery on Buena Vista Street.

Originally published July 24, 2013 at 9:21 a.m., updated July 24, 2013 at 7:20 p.m.

Brandon Chase was sentenced Wednesday to 13 years in prison, following his conviction last month on second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and armed criminal action charges filed following the April 22, 2012, killing of Keith Mosely, 34, Columbia.

Cole County Circuit Judge Dan Green imposed the sentences after Prosecutor Mark Richardson argued that Chase should be sentenced to a life term.

During both of his trials, Richardson argued that Chase, now 30, was the mastermind who planned to rob Mosely, a drug dealer, instead of buying the marijuana Mosely was willing to sell.

Investigators said Tracy Session, now 26, fired the shot that killed Mosely, shortly after midnight on April 22, 2012.

He pleaded guilty last Nov. 7 to the same three charges, and Presiding Circuit Judge Patricia Joyce sentenced him to 20 years on the murder and robbery charges, and five years on the armed criminal action charge — with all three sentences to be served at the same time.

Green ordered Chase to serve 10 years each on the robbery and murder convictions, to be served at the same time, and three years on the armed criminal action charge, to be served after he finishes the 10-year sentences.

Although state law allows the Corrections department to calculate a “conditional release date” that is shorter than the stated sentence for many crimes, the law requires someone convicted of armed criminal action to serve the entire sentence ordered.

A jury on July 9 convicted Khiry Summers, now 21, of the same three charges, for his role in the crime.

Joyce has not yet set his sentencing date.

Chase originally was tried in March, but the jury could not reach a verdict, so the second trial was held last month.

In both Chase trials and in Summers’ trial, Richardson argued that Chase said he wanted to buy some high-grade marijuana, and Mosely came to Jefferson City from Columbia on April 21, 2012, to conclude the sale.

Richardson argued that Chase then stalled the transaction, saying he needed time to get the money, while he, instead, was plotting with Session and Summers to steal the drugs.

Mosely was sitting with others in the kitchen of the apartment at 1029-B Buena Vista St. when Chase returned shortly after midnight — followed by Summers, who fired three shots into the apartment floor.

Prosecutors said that Session then stood in the apartment doorway and fired one shot, hitting Mosely in the chest.

He was taken to St. Mary’s Health Center, stabilized, then flown to University Hospital in Columbia.

He was pronounced dead a couple hours after the shooting.

Earlier coverage, posted 9:21 a.m. Wednesday:

Brandon Chase found guilty of second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and armed criminal action in the April 22, 2012, death of Keith Mosely, 34, a Columbia drug dealer, was sentenced Wednesday to 13 years in prison .

Mosely was shot shortly after midnight, while sitting in an apartment at 1029-B Buena Vista St., waiting for Chase to return with money to complete a marijuana sale.

But, when Chase came back to the apartment, he was followed by two other men - one wearing a mask over most of his face - who apparently intended to steal the drugs.

Officials said Tracy Session, now 26, fired the fatal shot, and Session pleaded guilty last Nov. 7 as part of a plea bargain. Cole County Presiding Circuit Judge Patricia Joyce sentenced him to 20 years in prison in the case.